Why Conor McGregor hired Manny Pacquiao’s Sparring Partner

Ahead of the world’s biggest boxing fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, the former has hired a sparring trainer who worked with Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao.

Sparring is a kind of training common to many combat sports although the precise form varies. It can be described as a “free-form fighting” with laid down rules, customs, and agreements which make injuries more unlikely to occur.

Pacman’s employment became necessary in the run-up to McGregor’s proposed August 26 fight.

The Irisman is considered a big underdog against an undefeated boxing champion who painstakingly won against the Filipino legend in 2015.

According to critics, the upcoming fight between Mayweather, who holds a 49-0 record in his list of achievements, and a UFC martial artist who has no boxing history, is total madness. However, McGregor says he’s in for a surprise, having waited forever for this bout.

Although Manny Pacquiao has given his take in favor of the affluent American boxer, someone on interest who spent time as the Filipino’s sparring partner says analysts may prove themselves wrong in the end.

A professional boxer and former mixed martial artist Dashon Johnson says he thinks his client McGregor has a great chance to win against the 40-year-old boxing legend.

Image: Dashon Johnson

While the world is patiently waiting for unexpected events to unfold in the ring at the T-Mobile Arena, McGregor is busy plotting how to upset the status quo.

The images, taken by Ginger Beard Photography, were captioned ‘disappearing, reappearing, I am not there, I am here’ and finally ‘right hook, orthodox.’

“It’s official, I am Team McGregor,” writes Johnson on his Instagram page.

“I’m headed to Ireland to help out the legend himself, Conor McGregor, for his upcoming bout against Floyd Mayweather, which is slated to be the biggest fight in combat sports history.

“I was fortunate enough to be a part of the biggest boxing fight in history against Floyd Mayweather, now I will be part of this mega-fight which should surpass all records.

“I will give every ounce of me to make sure that McGregor is at his best so that we can really make history.”

Records show Johnson, a professional boxer who also fights in MMA competitions, has won 22 of his 46 professional bouts.

The 29-year-old won nine of his 11 MMA contests between 2012 and 2014. Unfortunately, he lost his last two attempts in the UFC.

Sports analysts believe McGregor, 28, stands a chance to win against a highly defensive Mayweather, if the MMA star goes on the offensive from the outset.

The Irishman’s coach John Kavanagh insists he loves the buzz they’re getting ahead of this once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the world best.

“We’ve always done best when everybody is just mocking the idea of an unknown Dublin guy saying he’s going to take on the whole UFC roster and win the belt,”Kavanagh said on Monday’s edition of the MMA Hour.

“Those challenges seem to bind us even closer than we already are. I’m really seeing that spirit lit up in the team.

“It’s always there, but for whatever reason, because we’re being laughed at, because we’re being mocked, it’s making us even stronger.”

“You won’t land 5 shots the whole fight… get back to the UFC where you belong,” writes 707tdub on Instagram.

“He’s never lost, what makes you think he’s going to lose to a average, overrated, mma fighter,” another one wrote.

“Work hard guy… How’s it feel to finally be able to tell your wife to pull out the red panties? You showed genius marketability to get the biggest name in fighting to acknowledge you. Biggest payday you’ve ever known. I’m proud…” another fan of McGregor advised.